CHEYENNE, Wyo., June 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ –Avanti Financial Group, Inc. today announced the closing of its angel round of funding, which positions Avanti to achieve required milestones in its process of applying for a bank charter. The round was led by the University of Wyoming Foundation with participation from Morgan Creek Digital, Blockchain Capital, Digital Currency Group, Lemniscap, Madison Paige Ventures, Malex Enterprises, Susan B. Anthony, LLC and others, including Gary Gigot and other individual supporters of the cryptocurrency and fintech industries.
“We are building critical infrastructure for the digital asset industry at Avanti, and the magnitude and mix of our support underscore that multiple camps want to see this infrastructure built,” said Caitlin Long, founder and chief executive officer. “Our round was significantly oversubscribed just from incoming inquiries alone, and I’m especially proud of the broad support Avanti received from Wyoming-based organizations and individuals.”
Philip Treick, Chief Investment Officer of the University of Wyoming Foundation, said “The Investment Committee voted to invest in Avanti because we see significant growth potential for digital assets, we see an acute need for institutional-quality infrastructure to support this new asset class, and we believe in the ability of Caitlin’s team to deliver it. UW has already benefited significantly from cryptocurrency donations but we have faced real logistical challenges in accepting them. We are confident Avanti can simplify and streamline the process for donors making it easier to raise even more money to support UW’s blockchain efforts, including our WyoHackathon, which have already gained UW worldwide recognition. We are also pleased to support a high-profile economic development initiative for the State of Wyoming.”
The University of Wyoming Foundation’s Investment Committee engaged attorneys at Fairfield & Woods P.C. to represent it and other angel round investors, and designated Mr. Treick to fill its seat on Avanti’s board of directors.
About Avanti: Avanti Financial Group, Inc. is a Wyoming corporation formed to apply for a bank charter pursuant to Wyoming’s special-purpose depository institution (“SPDI”) laws. Based in Cheyenne, WY, it will likely do business under the name “Avanti Bank & Trust.” Avanti expects to serve as a compliant bridge to the U.S. dollar payments system and a custodian of digital assets that can meet the strictest level of institutional custody standards. Avanti will be required to fully comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including federal “know your customer,” anti-money laundering and related laws and regulations. Avanti will also comply with Wyoming’s SPDI and digital asset laws, which include requirements that fiat deposits be 100% reserved and that Avanti meet the strictest consumer protections in the digital asset industry.
